Sarasota County working on time capsule

When the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the Chidsey Library, 701 N. Tamiami Trail, was held on May 11, 1941, World War II was raging in Europe and the news was filled with accounts of Nazi triumphs.

Photos Courtesy Sarasota County Department of Historical Resources

By JEFF LAHURD

Published: Sunday, August 18, 2013 at 9:47 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, August 18, 2013 at 9:47 p.m.

As part of the Viva Florida 500 celebration, the Sarasota County Historical Commission, along with Sarasota County Libraries, is planning to include a time capsule to be placed at Historic Spanish Point.

The contents of the capsule have not been firmly established and the group is seeking the public's input, but plans include photographs and memorabilia of contemporary Sarasota.

The capsule will be opened in 2071 for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the county's creation.

A number of capsules have been enshrined in Sarasota. When the granite cornerstone to the new Sarasota County Courthouse was set on May 12, 1926 by the local Masonic Lodge, it was an important day for the young county.

All the schools were closed at noon so students could attend the dedication ceremony. As they sang the opening hymn, “the men of the county took off their hats and lowered their eyes in thankfulness.”

The structure, which reportedly cost $1 million, was said to “be the finest of its kind on the Gulf Coast,” a source of pride for a county only four years old. Hundreds attended as Judge Carrie Fish, who presided over the affair with members of the county commission, placed inside the cornerstone documents relating to Sarasota's relatively brief history.

No date was set for the time capsule's opening — perhaps the county may consider 2021, the 100-year anniversary of our founding.

When the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the Chidsey Library, 701 N. Tamiami Trail, was held on May 11, 1941, World War II was raging in Europe and the news was filled with accounts of Nazi triumphs. These were distressing times — the headline of that day's Herald, “Six-Hour Nazi Raid Leaves Whole London Blocks Afire” — and while the new library was an occasion to celebrate, the contents of time capsule reflected tragic events.

1941 and '55 thoughts

An edition of the Sarasota Herald was placed in a copper tube, so that “future generations will read the history-shattering days on 1941.” That day's editorial noted that they did not know when or if the paper would ever be seen. “It may never be read, if, at some future day, a blitzkrieg of bombers devastates Sarasota as are many towns in Europe . . . in the savage war now being waged.”

The paper ended on an optimistic note: “However, if and when the tube is opened, we want the Sarasota citizens of that day to know that the people of Sarasota of 1941 were happy and contented and forward looking folk. . . . We cherish the hope that they will remember us gratefully for what we have done to prepare for them a place in which they may live and work and play under conditions favorable to a happy and contented life.”

When Maas Brothers department store laid the cornerstone for its new building in 1955, they placed a time capsule inside to be opened 10 years later.

In it were the day's newspapers, a copy of Forbes Magazine, photos of the property as it looked before construction and letters of prediction from Mayor Hopkins and a representative of Maas Brothers.

The unnamed Maas Brothers official foresaw, 10 years hence, that space stations would be regularly flying over Sarasota, the city's population would soar to 125,000, red tide would be eradicated and city officials would have “solved all traffic problems.”

The mayor was less expansive. He predicted a population of 60,000 — up from 28,000 in 1955 — and was certain a four-lane Ringling Causeway and another bridge from Sixth Street to Lido Key would be built.

Centennial greetings

In 1965 the cornerstone was finally located near the up escalator of the store and opened by Maas Brothers manager John Schaub, with local dignitaries on hand. The contents were revealed without much comment as to their wisdom.

It was noted, however, that Pete Conrad was orbiting the Earth in Gemini 5, passing over Sarasota that day on its way to a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. His parents were permanent Sarasota residents.

Historic dates provide an opportunity to place a time capsule. Thus, in 1986, when Sarasota celebrated the Centennial of the Scot Colony, it seemed the perfect opportunity.

Dedicated to “Our Children's Children,” the capsule was slated to be buried in Centennial Park at 10th Street and U.S. 41, and to be opened for the city's Bicentennial in 2086. But Centennial Park was not completed as scheduled and the 4-foot-by-3-foot capsule remained in possession of Randy Topjun, Chairman of the Centennial Committee.

While there was no inventory of the contents, among the items enclosed were a telephone book, a Centennial T-shirt, greetings from public officials, documents relating to our history and cards with messages from Sarasotans to the future generation.

According to newspaper reports, the capsule remained with Topjun and his wife, Bonnie, in their garage until it was finally buried in 1991 near the entrance of Sarasota Memorial Cemetery under a brass plaque marking its significance.

According to the Viva Florida 500 Time Capsule Committee, “Time capsules are for future generations to learn about the past as they will create a picture of your community that could influence how history is interpreted in the future.”

The capsule is to be sealed on December 14, 2013. For suggestions as to what should be placed inside, or to submit a item for inclusion, call Ann Hardy at 941-861-5460, or contact her at ahardy@scgov.net.

<p>As part of the Viva Florida 500 celebration, the Sarasota County Historical Commission, along with Sarasota County Libraries, is planning to include a time capsule to be placed at Historic Spanish Point. </p><p>The contents of the capsule have not been firmly established and the group is seeking the public's input, but plans include photographs and memorabilia of contemporary Sarasota.</p><p>The capsule will be opened in 2071 for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the county's creation.</p><p>A number of capsules have been enshrined in Sarasota. When the granite cornerstone to the new Sarasota County Courthouse was set on May 12, 1926 by the local Masonic Lodge, it was an important day for the young county.</p><p>All the schools were closed at noon so students could attend the dedication ceremony. As they sang the opening hymn, “the men of the county took off their hats and lowered their eyes in thankfulness.”</p><p>The structure, which reportedly cost $1 million, was said to “be the finest of its kind on the Gulf Coast,” a source of pride for a county only four years old. Hundreds attended as Judge Carrie Fish, who presided over the affair with members of the county commission, placed inside the cornerstone documents relating to Sarasota's relatively brief history. </p><p>No date was set for the time capsule's opening — perhaps the county may consider 2021, the 100-year anniversary of our founding.</p><p>When the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the Chidsey Library, 701 N. Tamiami Trail, was held on May 11, 1941, World War II was raging in Europe and the news was filled with accounts of Nazi triumphs. These were distressing times — the headline of that day's Herald, “Six-Hour Nazi Raid Leaves Whole London Blocks Afire” — and while the new library was an occasion to celebrate, the contents of time capsule reflected tragic events.</p><p><B>1941 and '55 thoughts</b></p><p>An edition of the Sarasota Herald was placed in a copper tube, so that “future generations will read the history-shattering days on 1941.” That day's editorial noted that they did not know when or if the paper would ever be seen. “It may never be read, if, at some future day, a blitzkrieg of bombers devastates Sarasota as are many towns in Europe . . . in the savage war now being waged.”</p><p>The paper ended on an optimistic note: “However, if and when the tube is opened, we want the Sarasota citizens of that day to know that the people of Sarasota of 1941 were happy and contented and forward looking folk. . . . We cherish the hope that they will remember us gratefully for what we have done to prepare for them a place in which they may live and work and play under conditions favorable to a happy and contented life.”</p><p>When Maas Brothers department store laid the cornerstone for its new building in 1955, they placed a time capsule inside to be opened 10 years later.</p><p>In it were the day's newspapers, a copy of Forbes Magazine, photos of the property as it looked before construction and letters of prediction from Mayor Hopkins and a representative of Maas Brothers. </p><p>The unnamed Maas Brothers official foresaw, 10 years hence, that space stations would be regularly flying over Sarasota, the city's population would soar to 125,000, red tide would be eradicated and city officials would have “solved all traffic problems.”</p><p>The mayor was less expansive. He predicted a population of 60,000 — up from 28,000 in 1955 — and was certain a four-lane Ringling Causeway and another bridge from Sixth Street to Lido Key would be built.</p><p><B>Centennial greetings</b></p><p>In 1965 the cornerstone was finally located near the up escalator of the store and opened by Maas Brothers manager John Schaub, with local dignitaries on hand. The contents were revealed without much comment as to their wisdom. </p><p>It was noted, however, that Pete Conrad was orbiting the Earth in Gemini 5, passing over Sarasota that day on its way to a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. His parents were permanent Sarasota residents.</p><p>Historic dates provide an opportunity to place a time capsule. Thus, in 1986, when Sarasota celebrated the Centennial of the Scot Colony, it seemed the perfect opportunity.</p><p>Dedicated to “Our Children's Children,” the capsule was slated to be buried in Centennial Park at 10th Street and U.S. 41, and to be opened for the city's Bicentennial in 2086. But Centennial Park was not completed as scheduled and the 4-foot-by-3-foot capsule remained in possession of Randy Topjun, Chairman of the Centennial Committee.</p><p>While there was no inventory of the contents, among the items enclosed were a telephone book, a Centennial T-shirt, greetings from public officials, documents relating to our history and cards with messages from Sarasotans to the future generation.</p><p>According to newspaper reports, the capsule remained with Topjun and his wife, Bonnie, in their garage until it was finally buried in 1991 near the entrance of Sarasota Memorial Cemetery under a brass plaque marking its significance.</p><p>According to the Viva Florida 500 Time Capsule Committee, “Time capsules are for future generations to learn about the past as they will create a picture of your community that could influence how history is interpreted in the future.”</p><p>The capsule is to be sealed on December 14, 2013. For suggestions as to what should be placed inside, or to submit a item for inclusion, call Ann Hardy at 941-861-5460, or contact her at ahardy@scgov.net.</p>